Brinker, a restaurant operator in the casual dining sector, announced that it will sell its On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina (OTB) restaurant brand to OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital. We are affirming our 'BBB-' corporate credit rating on Brinker. The stable rating outlook reflects our assumption that Brinker's credit metrics will return to pre-OTB divestiture levels within one year of the sale. On April 6, 2010, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'BBB-' corporate credit rating on Brinker International Inc. after the company announced the sale of its OTB restaurant brand. The rating affirmation reflects our belief that Brinker's credit metrics will remain commensurate with its 'BBB-' rating, despite plans to use sale
